It happened on Sunday 29 December as the victim, a woman in her 30s, walked on Woodcock Road at about 5.15pm when she was approached by a man who robbed her of a mobile phone.

Inquiries led officers to arrest a suspect on Monday 30 December shortly after 8am who was questioned by detectives at Wymondham Police Investigation Centre and later charged.

Ian Barnes, of Shorncliffe Avenue, Norwich, is accused of one count of robbery and was remanded in police custody before appearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday December 31.

Barnes also faces further theft charges and is accused of stealing various Durex items to the value of £47.94 belonging to Boots in Aylsham Road on December 20 and stealing a Nintendo DS from a property in Mile Cross Road in Norwich on December 29.

He was further remanded in custody to appear at Norwich Crown Court on Tuesday January 14.